Automatic spray painting apparatus



June 11, 1957 E. FABER 2,795,205

AUTOMATIC SPRAY PAINTING APPARATUS Filed April 28, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q I INVENTOR.

' ELMER L. FABER' June 11, 1957 E. L. FABER AUTOMATIC SPRAY PAINTING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 28, 1955 E. L. FABER AUTOMATIC SPRAY PAINTING API ARATUS June 11, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 28, 1955 INVENTOR. E LMEE L. F455? B v Y J ATTOR/Vi Y5 June 11, 1957 E. L. FABER 2,795,206

AUTOMATIC SPRAY PAINTING APPARATUS Filed April 28, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 k n 1 E 3 a k Q: g

fig.. 127' A TTORNEYS United States 2,795,206 AUTOMATIC SPRAY PAINTING APPARATUS Elmer L. Faber, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Conforming Matrix Corporation, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 28, 1955, Serial No. 504,455

14 Claims. (Cl. 118-41) This invention relates to automatic spray painting apparatus.

Single and multi-color decoration of small parts can be done accurately by means of spray guns and metal electroformed masking shields to confine the decorating compounds to desired patterns. The economical repetitious painting of likeparts demands automatic spray painting machines which do not require the attendants to do anything other than to place the articles to be decorated against the masking shields incorporated in the painting machines and to remove the articles there: from after they have been decorated.

. Single and multi-color spray painting machines have been built which automatically spray from beneath and against articles to be painted, While the electro-formed masks, upon which the articles rest, fit flush against a machine table, and the articles are placed and removed manually by the attendant. Such machines have not been provided with means to remove surplus coating com pounds from the masks. The masks employed in such a machine had either to be cleaned of accumulated paint in an open tank or cleaned in a separate washing machine.

Open tank cleaning using volatile solvents may be injurious to employees health and engenders explosion hazards. It wastes solvent, wastes time, and often damages the masks. Separate washing machine'cleaning or" the masks consumes time in transferring the masks and allows volatile solvent to escape into the atmosphere each time the washing machine is opened and closed.

single color spray painting machines have been proposed which incorporate automatic means for washing the masks after each use. Such machines can only apply one color. They are not capable of allowing the masks to be used an optimum number of times before they are Washed. Using a mask only once before washing results in excessive consumption of solvent and requires a comparatively great number of masks.

The'principal object of this invention is to provide apparatus for automatically applying one or more colors of coating compounds to articles supported on holding means in an application area, part of which holding means may be selectively driven from the application area to a cleansing area while another part is driven from a cleansing area to the application area to permit the maintenance of uninterrupted production, the cleansing area having automatic means for removing surplus coating compounds from the holding means.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for applying'coating compounds to articles upon formfitting, stencil-like masksheld upon mask'holding means in an application area, with means for automatically cleaning surplus coating compounds from the masks not being used in the coating operation.

Another object' of the invention is to provide a novel drive for mask holding means which drive moves holding means from anapplication area to a washing area and from avwashing area to the application area and which drive also causes electrical switches to be actuated auto- 2,795,206 Patented June 11, 1957 matically in proper sequence to control the operating mechanisms, the switches being located in an area free from spraying coating compounds.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in apparatus for applying single and multi-color coating compounds, novel holding means for articles to be coated comprising a mask carrying shuttle plate having relieved edged openings, and latch means for holding form-fitting, stencil-like masks in said openings, which. shuttle plate may be selectively driven from an application area to one of several cleansing areas .having automatic cleansing means and from a cleansing area to the application area.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for automatically applying coating compounds to articles supported by article holding means in an application area and for automatically cleansing surplus coating compounds from the article holding means, which apparatus maintains the surrounding room atmosphere free from coating compound fumes and free from cleansing fluid fumes for the health and comfort of attendants.

A further object of the invention is to provide automatic spray painting apparatus using metal electro-formed masking shields which apparatus is designed to operate at high speeds with a minimum of handling of the masking shields.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description in which reference is had to the accompanying drawings. .According to theinvention, apparatus is provided for applying coating compounds to articles, said apparatus havingan application area anda cleaning area, article holding means, intermittently operating shifting means to move said holding means from said application area to said cleansingarea and from said cleansing area to said application area, applying means for applying coating compounds to articles supported by said holding means within said application area, cleansing means for removing surplus coating compounds from said holding means while in said cleansing area, automatic means for causing cyclical operation of said applying means, and means for selectively varying the timing of operations of said shifting means.

In the drawings:

Figure I is a view in perspective of a machine for applying coating compounds, parts of the cabinet being removed and other parts of the cabinet being broken away to show interior mechanisms.

Figure II is a plan view of the machine shown in Figure I, part of the cabinet being removed.

Figure III is an end elevational view of the machine shown inFigure 1, parts of the cabinet and frame being broken away.

Figure IV is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line IV-IV of Figure II.

Figure V is a schematic pneumatic diagram showing the pneumatic operationof the machine.

Figure V1 is a schematic pneumatic diagram showing details of the pilot valve shown in Figure V.

Figure ,VII is an elevational view taken substantially along the line VII--VII of Figure II.

Figure VIII is an electrical wiring diagram of a control system for the machine.

These specific figures are intended merely to illustrate the invention but not necessarily to limit its scope.

The apparatus for applying coating compounds to articles includes a frame 1 supporting a cabinet 2 enclosing a centrally located application station or area 3 and a pair of cleansing areas or wash stations 4 and 5 one adjacent each end of the application station 3.

Articles to which coating compounds are to be applied, are supported in the application area 3 upon an article holding means 6. If it is desired to apply decorating compounds to only certain patterns on the articles, the articles are placed upon metal electro-formed masking shields, i. e., formfitting, stencil-like masks 7 detachably mounted onthe article holding means 6. The articleholding means 6 includes a mask carrying shuttle plate-8 having eight relieved'edged openings 9 for receiving the masks 7 and latch means 10 for securingthe masks in the openings. It is to'be understood that any suitable number of openings 9 may be provided in the mask carrying shuttle plate 8. About one-half of the mask carrying shuttle plate 8%is at all times in the application area 3.to allow the maintenance of uninterrupted production while the other half of the mask carrying shuttle plate is in one or the other of the cleansing areas 4 and 5 wherein surplus coating compounds are automatically. removed from the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 and from the masks 7. The surplus coating compounds must be removed to allow the masks 7 to confine the decorating compounds to sharply defined patterns.

Applying means including spray guns 11 are provided in the application area 3 for applying coating compounds to. articles supported by the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 within the applicationarea. The spray guns 11 are attached to yoke rods 12 which arereciprocated by means of a gun traverse air cylinder 13 (shown in Figure 'V),

the piston of the cylinder 13 being attached to the yoke.

rods 12. As many spray guns as is considered best may me provided and eachgun may apply a different color of coating compound so that one attendant facing the machine as shown in Figure I may decorate articles in part with one color using the left-hand pair of masks 7, and a second attendant may decorate the same article in a different part with another color using the right-hand pair of masks 7. Or, the second attendant may decorate a type of article entirely different from the type being decorated by the first. attendant. It is understood that the number of different types of articles and the number of different colors applied is limited only by the number of openings 9 provided in the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 and by the number of guns 11 provided with sources of different colors of coating compounds.

The guns 11- automatically spray from beneath and against articles to be coated while the masks 7 upon which the articles rest, fit flush against the mask carryingshuttle plate 8 and within the openings 9. The guns 11 spray the coating compounds with blasts of atomizing air supplied from a header 14 (Figure V) charged withcompressed air from a suitable source through a pipe 15 which first takes the air through a filter 16.

The atomizing air for the right side gun 11, as seen in Figure I, flows from the header 14 through a pipe 17, an air regulator 18 controlled by a knob 19, a pipe 20, and a manifold 21. As indicated in Figure V, the manifold 21 may supply a plurality of right side guns. The

knob 19 may be turned to various positions to regulate the fiow of atomizing air to the guns. Similarly, the atomizing air for the left side gun 11 flows from the header 14, through a pipe 22, an air regulator 23 controlled by a knob 24, a pipe 25,and a manifold 26 which may supply, a plurality of left side guns. The knob 24 may be turned to various positions to regulate the fiow of atomizing air to the guns. The knobs 19 and 24 are rotatably mounted for easy access on the front of the cabinet 2.

The gunsll are controlled by triggers operated by compressed air fiowing from the header. 14 through a pipe 27, i

an air regulator 28 controlled by a regulating knob 29, a pipe 29a, an airline lubricator 29b, and a nomally closed solenoid operated valve 30 to a manifold 31. The solenoid of the valve 30 is governed by a timer 32 (Figure I) automatically controlled by the drive for the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 as will be hereinafter described. The guns may be located in chosen positions on the yoke rods 12 and the timer 32 set to govern the length of time the guns 11 spray.

The yoke rods 12, which are attached to the pistonin the gun traverse air cylinder 13, may be made to reciprocate by driving the piston back and forth. Air to drive the piston back and forth in the cylinder 13 is supplied through the pipe 29a and through a pipe 33 leading into a pilot valve 34. Air to determine the direction of movement of the piston of the gun traverse air cylinder 13 is supplied through the pipe 33 and through a pipe 35 leading into a normally closed solenoid operated valve 36 which communicates with the pilot valve 34 through a pipe 37.

The manner in which the pilot valve 34 functions is shown in Figure VI. When the normally closed solenoid operated valve 36 is opened by an electrical impulse controlled by a timer 38 (that is automatically controlled in turn by the drive for the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 as will be hereinafter described), air flows against the end 39 of a piston in the pilot valve 34 driving the piston to the right. The movementof the piston 39 to the right alines the chamber between the faces of pistons 40 and 44 with an outlet 41 while an opposite outlet is isolated from pipe 33 permitting air to flow from the pipe 33 through the outlet 41 into a pipe 42 leading into the left hand side of the gun traverse air cylinder 13 to drive the piston in the cylinder :13 to the right which in turn carries the yoke rods 12 with their attached guns 11 to the right. When the normally closed solenoid operated valve 36 is permitted to close bythe timer 38, the air flowing through the .pipe 37 is cut off. This permits a compression spring 43 to push the pistons in the pilot valve 34 to the left. The movement ofthe pistons to the left alines the chamber betweenthe faces of pistons 40 and 44 with an outlet 45 while outlet 41 isisolated from pipe 33.permitting air to fiow from the pipe 33 through the outlet 45 into a pipe 46 leading into the right hand side of the gun traverse air cylinder 13 driving the piston in the cylinder 13 to the left which in turn carries the yoke r0ds12 with their attached guns 11 to the left.

The cyclical automatic operation of the spray guns 11 may be controlled by selecting the proper sequence of events controlled by the timers 32 and 38 and by selecting the speed and length of stroke of the piston in the gun traverse air cylinder 13. The speed of the piston in the cylinder 13 is controlled by the flow control valves 47 and 48 mounted for easy access on the front of the cabinet 2. The guns 11 can be set to spray during the forward and/or return strokes of the yoke rods 12, and, as hereinbefore described, the guns 11 can also be set to spray from a stationary position.

A suitable dwell period when the guns 11 do not spray must be allowed to permit the attendants to place articles to be coated on the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 and to remove coated articles. The attendant can stop the automatic means for causing cyclical operation of the applying means by cutting off all power to the machine by actuating a main switch. 49. The machine maintains an atmosphere free from coating compounds, since suitable exhaust equipment filters and discharges fumes through a stack 50 to the rear of the cabinet 2.

When surplus coating compounds accumulate upon the masks 7 and/or upon the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 to such an extent that the decorating compounds can no longer be confined to sharply defined areas, the machine attendant or attendants actuate a drive which moves that part of the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 in the application area 3 to one of the cleansing areas 4 and 5. The mask carrying shuttle plate 8 extends the lengths of the application area3 and one of the cleansing areas 4 and 5 so that a substantial part of the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 remains at all times in the application area. As shown greased 8 the cleansing area to move into the application area 3 to permit the maintenance of uninterrupted production; Subsequent movement to the right causes the plate 8 to reassume its former Position. 7

The mask carrying shuttle plate 8 is formed preferably of aluminum and has reinforcing strips preferably consisting of aluminum extrusions 51, fixed along its edges by means of flat headed screws 52 (Figure IV). The screws 52 serve also to attach runners 55 to the extrusions 51. The runners 55 are sli'dable on ways formed by the tops of angle irons 53 rigidly attached to channel irons 54. The channel irons 54 are rigidly attached to brackets 56 fixed to the frame 1, there being four brackets 56 spaced along the frame 1 as shown in Figure II. The angle irons 53 and the channel irons 54 form tracks 57 extend ing the length of the cabinet 2 in and along which the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 is slidable. The forwardly and lowermost located channel iron 54 has drilled and countersunk drain holes 58 along that part of the channel iron located in the cleansing areas 4 and 5.

- Intermittently acting shifting means are provided to drive the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 along the tracks 57. The timing of the shifts can be selectively varied by the attendants. This is necessary, since the number of times that a mask can be successfully used before it needs washing varies with such factors as the kind of article being decorated and the type of coating compound being applied. The shifting means comprises a pneumatic system including a mask traverse cylinder 59 supported on brackets 60 within the front part of the cabinet 2 (only one bracket 60 is shown). A piston rod 61 extends from the cylinder 59 to the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 to which it is attached by means of a plate traverse bracket 62. Compressed air for the cylinder 59 is supplied from the header 14 through a pipe 63, an air pressure regulator 64, a pipe 66, an air line lubricator 67, and a mask plate traverse valve 68. The air pressure regulator 64 may be adjusted by a knob 65 rotatably mounted on the front of the cabinet 2 for easy access. The plate traverse valve 68 may be opened and closed by means of a lever 69. Movement of the lever 69 (Figure I) in one direction allows air to flow through the valve 68 to a second mask plate traverse valve 70. The second mask plate traverse valve 70 has two outlets either of which may be opened by means of a lever 71. Movement of the lever 71 in one direction permits air to flow through the valve 70 into a pipe 72 leading into the cylinder 59 to push the piston rod 61 to the right. Movement of the lever 71 in the other direction permits air to flow through the valve 70 into a pipe 73 leading into the cylinder 59 to push the piston rod 61 to the left. The speed of movement of the piston rod 61 is controlled by a flow control 74 which is constricted more or less by turning a knob 75 rotatably mounted on the front of the cabinet 2 (Figure II). As a safety feature, both levers 69 and 71 must be actuated together before the mask carrying shuttle plate will move so that both attendants are aware of the fact that the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 is to be shifted. Movement of the lever 69 conditions the pneumatic system and movement of the lever 71 directs the shift of the plate 8 to one or the other of the cleansing areas 4 and 5. 8

Movement of the mask carrying plate 8 causes spray means within one of the proper cleansing areas 4 or 5 to be automatically actuated, as will be hereinafter described. Since the spray means in both cleansing areas 4 and 5 are identical, only those in the area 5 are shown and described. The spray means within the cleansing area 5 include four lower manifold pipes 76 extending substantially the length of thecleansing area 5 and: an

upper manifold pipe 77 also extending substantiallythe t e cleansing area 5. The manifold pipes 76 and. 77 are.

provided with a plurality of spray. nozzles 78 located along the entire. lengths of the pipes. The spray nozzles 78v direct cleansing fluid at room temperature, e. g., trichlorethylene, methyl ethyl ketone, methylene chloride, and toluene, up onto and down upon the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 and the masks 7 to remove surplus coating compounds. The cleansing fluid is supplied under pressure to the manifold pipes 76 and 77 through pipes 79 and 80 respectively which communicate through a main pipe 81 with a pump 82 driven by a motor 83. The main pipe 81 also carries cleansing fluid under pressure to the spray means in the cleansing area 4, as shown in Figure II.

The pump 82 recirculates the cleansing fluid through the main pipe 81 from a solvent tank 84 in the cleansing area 5 to the spray means within both the cleansing areas 4 and 5. A conduit 85 recirculates, by gravity, used cleansing fluid from a solvent tank 86 located in the cleansing area 4 the bottom of which tank 86 is shown in dotted lines in Figure III to the solvent tank 84. The tank 84 is initially filled by removing an end cover 87 and pouring cleansing fluid into the tank until a gauge 88 indicates full or by connecting a hose to the pump 82 and pumping the fluid into the tank 84 through the spray nozzles 78 until the gauge 88 indicates full. A strainer 89 separates coating compound from the recirculated cleansing fluid which compound may be cleaned from the solvent tank 84 by removing the end cover 87 and scooping out the compound and by a similar method from the solvent tank 86. Thesolvent tanks 84 and 86 are drained for cleaning by pumping the cleansing fluid through a drain pipe 90.

One of the important features of the machine is the fact that it maintains the ambient room atmosphere free from cleansing fluid fumes for the health and comfort of the attendants and also conserves the fluid. Rubber baflles are placed above and below the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 at each of the shuttle entrances to the cleansing areas 4 and 5. A part of one of such baflies is shown at 91 (Figure I). The baflles lap over the plate 8 and wipe the plate as it enters and leaves the cleansing areas. The upper baflies are each adjacent blow-off tubes 92 formed of perforated pipes. The blow-off tubes '92 are automatically actuated to dry up the cleansing fluid, as will be hereinafter described, when the plate 8 is shifted. The blow-off together with the wiping action of the rubber baflies maintains an atmosphere free from cleansing fluid fumes. The construction makes tightly enclosed cleansing areas to conserve the cleansing fluid by keeping volatilization of the fluid to a minimum. Air for the blow-off tubes 92 is delivered from the header 14 through pipes 93 (Figure V). Normally closed solenoid operated blow-off valves 94 and 95 are automatically opened and deliver compressed air to the proper one of the blow-ofi tubes 92 whenever the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 is in motion and only when the plate 8 is in motion.

Another important feature is the novel construction of the control means for the machine and of the intermittently acting shifting means for moving the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 which also causes electrical switches to be actuated automatically controlling the various operating mechanisms. Movement of the piston rod 61 which is attached to the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 by means of the plate traverse bracket 62 causes the bracket 62 to either move yokes 96 and 97 or allow the yokes to be moved setting in motion the various control mechanisms.

Referring to Figure VII, showing the control means, the yokes 96 and 97 are rigidly attached to a cam rod 98 journaled for sliding action through brackets 99 attached to=the cabinet 2 at 100 and 101. Adjusting nuts 102 clamp springs 103 against the brackets 99. Thus, the cam ;rod 98 attempts to come to a neutral position under the influence of the springs 103, i. e., that position assumed by the cam rod 98 when no external forces g the yoke 96.

exceptthose applied by the. springs 103 are acting-on it. The cam rod 98 carries a Wash selecting cam 104,.ablowoffi selecting cam 105, and a pair of timer controlling cams 106. When the cam rod 9 8 is 'urged to the right by the springs 103.into neutral position, theblow-off selecting earn .105 closes a blow-otfselector, switch .107 which is equipped with an override type arm which cannot be actuated by the cam 105 .whenthe cam rod 98 moves towards the left into neutral position.

As. shown in thedrawings, part of the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 is in the cleansing area 5. In this position, the plate traverse bracket 62 mounted on the piston rod 61 presses against; the yoke .97 to .hold the cam rod 98 a fraction of an inch to the right out of neutral position compressing that one of the springs 103 nearest In this position, the wash selecting cam 104 closes a wash selector switch 108; the blow-oif select.- ing cam 105 is located to the rightof and out ofcontact with the blow-off selector switch 107, and one of the timer controlling cams 106 closes a timer selectorswitch 109.

Referring to Figure VIII, closing of the switch 109 closes contacts 110 allowing current to flow through a lead 111 to the, timers 32 and 38 which control the solenoids of valves and 36 setting the coating compound applying means into cyclical motion. Closing of the contacts .110 also starts a motor 112a of, a wash timer 112. Closing of the switch 108 closes contacts 113 conditioning the circuit to allow a normally open wash solenoid 114 to close and open a valve 1144 located in the cleansing fluid pipe supplying pipes 79 and in the cleansing area 5, when current is supplied to the solenoid '11'4. Starting of the wash timer 112 opens contacts 121 cutting off 'the blow-off in a manner hereinafter described and closes contacts 115 allowing current to flow through the now closed contacts 113 closing the. solenoid 114, allowing cleansing fluid to spray in the cleansing area 5. After a suitable interval, e. g., 30 seconds, the wash timer 112 times out the contacts 115 shutting off the spray in.the cleansing area 5. The timer 112 stays in timed out position with all points open until the switch 109 is opened. The mask carrying shuttle plate 3 and any masks carried thereby in the cleansing area 5 are now clean and ready for use.

When the mask carrying-shuttle plate is moved to the left by the plate traverse bracket 62, the bracket 62 moves out of contact with the yoke 97. Instantly, the com pressed spring 103 moves the cam rod 98 a fractionof an inch to the left into neutral position. In neutral posi' tion, the wash selecting cam 104 is located to the left of the wash selector switch 108 allowing the normally open switch 108 to open and close contacts 116 conditioning the circuit to allow a normally open solenoid 117to close and open a valve 118 located in the main pipe '81 supplying cleansing area 4 with cleansing fluid, when current'is supplied to the solenoid 118; the blow-elf selecting cam rides over the blow-off selector switch 107 without actuating it leaving the switch 107 open keeping contacts 119 closed conditioning the circuit to allow a normally open solenoid 120 to close and open the blowoff valve 94 (Figure V), when the solenoid 120 is supplied with current; the cams 106 are located one on each side and out of contact with the normally open switch 109 allowing it to open and open the contacts cutting off the flow of current through the lead 111 to the timers 32.and 38. This stops the spray guns 11 and causes the yoke rods IZcarrying the guns to shift all the way to the left and retain that position during the time the mask carrying shuttle plate 8is in motion. When the switch 109 opens, the contacts 121 close supplying current to the solenoid 120 through the now closed contacts 119 closing the solenoid 120 which opens the blow-offvalvc 94 causing a blast of air tobe emitted from the right hand blow-off tube 92 during the time the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 is in motion.

As the mask carrying shuttle plate continues to move ing shuttle plate 8.

not disturb the positions of the wash selector switch 108 or o f the blow-off selector switch 107, but it does cause one of the cams 106 to close thetimer selector switch 109. Closing of the switch 109. closes the contacts 110 allowing current to flow inthc lead 111 to timers 32 and 38 starting up the cyclical operation of the coating compound applying means. Closing. of the contacts 110 again starts the wash timer 112 which timer opens the contacts 121 cutting off the blow off and closes the contacts allowing current to flow through the now closed contacts 116 to close the solenoid .117 opening the valve 118 located in the mainpipe 81 supplying cleansing area 4 with cleansing fluid. After a suitable interval, e. g., 30 seconds, the wash timer 112 times out the contacts 115 shutting off the spray in the cleansing area 4. The timer 112 stays in timed out position with all points open until the switch 109 is opened. .The mask carrying shuttle plate 8 and any ofthc masks 7 in the cleansing area 4 arenow clean and ready for use.

When the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 is moved to the right by the plate traverse bracket 62, the bracket 62 from left to right closes switch 107 toclose contactsl22 conditioning the circuitto allow a normally open solenoid 123 to close and open the blow-off valve 95, when the solenoid is supplied with current,,and permits normally open switch 109 to open. Opening of the switch 109 opens the contacts 110 cutting off the flow of current through the lead 111 to the timers 32 and .38.. This stops the spray guns 11 and causes the yoke rods 12 carrying the guns to shift all the way to the left and retain that position during the time the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 is in motion. When the switch .109 opens, the contacts 121 close supplying current to the solenoid 123 through the now closed contacts 122 closingthe solenoid 123 opening the blow-off valve 95 causing a blast of air to be emitted from the left hand blow-off .tube 92 during the time the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 is in motion.

As the mask carrying shuttle 8 continues to move to wards the right, the mask traverse bracket 62 moves away from the yoke 96. The cam rod 98 remains in neutral position until the bracket 62 contacts the yoke 97 moving the cam rod 98 a fraction of an inch to the right out of neutral position. Part of the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 is now again in the cleansing area 5 ready to be cleaned.

To summarize the automatic operation of the machine: When the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 is in motion in either direction, the guns 11 do not spray and move over and remain in their left hand position in the application area. 3. At the same time, the proper one of the blow-elf tubes 92 emits a blast of air onto the moving mask carry- When the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 stops in one of the cleansing areas 4 or 5, the blow-off blast stops, the spray guns 11 start their cyclical operation, and the spray means within the proper cleansing area direct cleansing fluid onto both sides of that part of the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 and the masks 7 within the cleansing area.

The construction of the control means and of the intermittently acting shifting means which both moves the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 and causes the switches 107, 108, and 109 to be actuated has many advantages. The

switches-are located away from, spraying coating c nipounds so that they stay paint-free. The construction is of low cost, easy to adjust, and rapid acting. Rapid action is very important, for example, a spray gun may be just ready to spray when the attendants decide to move the mask carrying shuttle plate 8 into a cleansing area. The controls must instantly prevent the gun from spraying and at the same time cause the blow-off to be actuated. The rapid action. is; produced ,by'so constructing and arrangingthe'cam rod 98 th'atfas soon as the piston rod 61 moves a fraction of an inch to the left or right the .camrod 98 instantly is driven a fraction of an inch, its total travel in one direction, into -neutral position by the springs 103 to actuate the proper switches.-

Various'modifications may be made in specific details of construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described the invention, I claim:. 1. Apparatus for applying'coating compounds to articles, said apparatus having an application area, a pair of cleansing areas, said application area. being located between said cleansing areas,. a member mounted for recip rocation from said application.area into, said.cleansing areas, a first article holding means carried by said member, a second article holding means carried by said mem; her and displaced from, said first means in the, direction, of reciprocation wherebysaid second meansand'itssup; porting portion of said member are positioned in afirst of said cleansing areas while said first means and its sup.- porting portion of saidmember are positioned in said application area, intermittently acting reciprocatingmeans to move said member to carry said first means in one direction from said application area to a;s econd ,ofsaid cleansing areas and said second means to saidapplication area, said intermittently acting reciprocating means being arranged to move said member in.a direction opposite, said one direction tosreturnsaidfirst article. holding mean to said application area, and, said-second article. holding means to ,said first cleansing area, applying means for applying coating compounds to articles supported by said holding means within, said application area, cleans; ing means for removing surplus coating compounds from, said holding means while in saidcleansing area, automatic means for causing cyclical operation ofisaid apply-- ing means, and means for selectively varying the .timin of operations of-said reciprocating means. 4 1 2. Apparatus for applying coating compoundsto articles, said apparatus having an application area, a pair of cleansing areas, said application area being located between said cleansing areas; a member mounted for re ciprocation from said application area into said cleansing areas, a first article holding means carried by said member, a second article holding means carried by said mem:

her and displaced from said first means in the direction of reciprocation whereby said second means and its supporting portion of said member are positioned in afirst of said cleansing areas while said first means and its sup-1 porting portion of said member are positionedin said application area, reciprocating means to move saidmemher to carrysaid first means in one direction from said application area to a second of said cleansing areas and said second means to saidapplication area,'-said reciproeating means being arranged to movesaid member in a direction opposite said one direction to'return said first.

article holding means to said application'area, and said second article holding 'meansto said first cleansing area,

applying means for applying coating compounds to articles supported by said holding'means within said ap plication area, cleansing means for removing surplus coating compounds from said holding means while in said cleansing area, and means for selectively varying the tim-,

ing of operations of said reciprocating means.

3. Apparatus for applying coating compounds to articles, said apparatus having an application area,.a pair of cleansing areas, said application area'being located begrassed tween said cleansing areas, ai'shuttlefplate, a first portion of said plate extending across the application area, a second portion of said plate corresponding to said first portion and positioned adjacent thereto irl a cleansing area, a first mask aperture said first portidn, a second. nias'lc aperture in said 'secondiportion, intermittently acting ciprocating means to move said firstpor'tion' of said plate in one. direction from saidapplication areas to a first of said cleansing areas and said; second, portion of said plate from a s econdfof said'cleans'ing areas' to said ap: plication area, [said intermittently acting reciprocating means being arranged to move said shuttle plate in a direction opposite said one direction to returnsaid first portion to said application area and said'secondportion'to' said second cleansing area ap'plying means'tor applying coating compounds I t'o' articles supportedby, said holding means within said application area, cleansing means for removing surplus coating compounds from said holding means whilein said cleansing, area, and means for selec'f, tively varying the timingof operations "of said reciprocat ingmeans. f f 1] 4. Apparatus 'for. applying coating compoundsv tonarti}. cles, said apparatus shaving an'application area and a; cleansing area, a mask carrying shuttle plate having at least one relieved edged opening for, receiving a form; fitting, stencil-like mask, latch' means for securing the. mask inthe opening, intermittently acting shifting means. to move said shuttle platefrom said application area to,

application area, vap plying'fmeans for applying coating' compounds to articles supported by said shuttle plate and uponthe mask within said application area,- cleansing means for removing surplus coating compounds from said, mask and, from said shuttle. plate while in said cleansing area, automatiqmeansjfor causing cyclical operation of said applying means, and means for selectively varying,

the timing of operation of said shifting means. a v

a 5. Apparatus for applying coating compounds to-,arti-' cles, said apparatus having an application area and a cleansing area, a mask carrying shuttle plate having at least one relieved edged opening for receiving a formfitting, stencil-like mask, latchmeans forsecuring the mask inthe opening, intermittently acting shifting-means to -move said 'shuttle'plate "from said application area to said cleansing area, and from said cleansing area tosaid application area, applying means for applying coating com-,

pounds to articles supported by said shuttle plate and upon the mask withinsaid application area, cleansing-means for removing surplus coating compounds from said mask and' from said shuttle plate-while in said cleansing area, automatic means for causing cyclical operation of said applying means, manually operable means for varying the speed of the cyclical operation of said applying means, and means for selectively varying the timing of operations-of said shifting means, v v

6. Apparatus for applying coating compounds to articles, said apparatus having an application area and a cleansing area, form-fitting, stencil-like masks upon which articles to be coated are placed, a mask carrying shuttle plate having relieved edged openings for receiving the masks, latch meansfor securing the masks in the openings, intermittently acting shifting means to move said shuttle plate from said application area to said cleansing area and from said cleansingarea to said application area,

applying means for applying coating compounds to articles supported bysaid shuttle plate and upon the masks within said application area, cleansing, means for-remov-.

ing surplus coating compounds from said masks and from said shuttle plate while in said cleansing area, automatic means for causing cyclical operationof said. application. means, and means for selectively varying the timing of operations of said shifting means.

7. Apparatus for applying coating compounds to arti- I 1 edged opening for receiving a form-fitting, stencil-like mask, latch means for securing the mask in theopening, the shuttle plate supporting the mask in thelappli'cation station, means located in the application station for applying coating compounds to articles supported by the shuttle plate within the application area, at least one wash station, means for driving the shuttle plate along a generally horizontal path from the application station'into the wash station and from the 'wash station into the application station, spray means within the wash station for directing cleansing fluid onto the mask supportedby the shuttle plate within the wash station, and means for recirculating the cleansing fluid under pressure from the wash station to the spray means.

8. Apparatus for applying coating compounds to articles comprising, in combination, an application station, a pair of wash stations one adjacenteach end of the application station,'a mask carrying shuttle plate extending the lengths of the application station and one of the wash stations for supporting masks in the stations, means for selectively driving the shuttle plate, whereby that part of the shuttle plate located in a wash station is moved into the application station andthatipart ofthe shuttle plate located in the, application station is moved into the other wash station, means located in the, application station for applying. coating compounds'to articles upon the masks supported in the application station Tbylthe shuttle plate, spray means within the washsta'tions for directing cleansing fluid onto the masks supported inthe wash stations by the shuttle plate, and means for supplyingthecleansing fluid under pressure to the spray means.

9. Apparatus for applying coating compounds to articles comprising, in combination, an application station, a

mask carrying shuttle plate'for'supporting masks in the,

application station, means for spraying coating compounds through the masks onto articles upon the masks, a first wash station, a second was'hstation, meansfor selectively driving themask shuttle plate along a' generally horizontal path into one of the wash stations and from the wash stations into the application station, asubstantial part of'the mask shuttle'plate remaining at all tim'esin the application station, spray means withinthe wash stations for directing cleansing'flu'id onto the masklshuttle plate, conduit means for recirculating used .cleansi'ng'fluid from the first wash station to the second wash station, and means for .recirculating the cleansing fluid under pressure from the second wash station to the, spray meanswithin the washstations.

10. Apparatus for applying coating compoundslto articles comprising, in combination, 'an application station, a

mask carryingshuttle platefor supporting masks in the application station, means for spraying coating compounds through the masks onto articles upon the masks, a first duit means for recirculating used cleansing fluidfrom the first wash station to the second wash station, means .for recirculating the cleansing fluid under pressure from the second wash station to the'spray means within the wash stations, and means; for controlling the automatic operation of means for spraying coating compounds and the spray means within the wash stations, the means for controlling being actuatedand driven by the means for selectively driving the mask carrying'shuttle plate.

11. Apparatus for applying coating compounds to articles,:said apparatus having an application area and cleansing areas, article holding means, intermittently acting shifting means to move said holding means from said application area to a cleansing area and from a'cleansing area to said application area, part of thearticle holdingrmeans remaining at all times in said application area, applying,

means for applying coating compounds to articles supported'by said holding mcanswithin said application area, cleansing means'for removing surplus coating compounds from said holding means while in said cleansing areas, means for manually controlling the timing of operations of said shiftingmeans, and means for controlling theautomatic operation of said cleansing means and said applying means,said means for controlling being actuated and driven by said intermittently acting shifting means.

, 12. Apparatus for applying coating compounds to articles, said apparatus having an application area and a cleansing area, said areas being located side by side article holding means, intermittently acting shifting means to move said holding means in one direction from said application area to said cleansing area and in the opposite direction from said cleansing area back to said applica tion area, applying means for applying coating compounds to articles supported by saidholding means within said application area, cleansing means for removing surplus coating compounds from said holding means while in said cleansing area, anelectrical control for said cleansing means, automaticmeans for causing cyclical operation of said applying means, an electrical control for said automatic means, means for selectively varying the timing of 13. Apparatus for applying coating compounds to arti cles comprisingyin combination, an application station, a mask carrying shuttle plate for supporting masks in the application station, means for'spraying coating compounds through the masksonto articles, upon the masks, electrical control means 'for said coating spray means, a first wash station, a second wash station, said shuttle plate extending across saidapplication station and at least a portion of one wash station whereby a mask supporting portion is located in said application station, and a second mask supporting portion is located in saidwash'station, means for selectively driving a mask supporting portion of said shuttle plate in one directionfrom said application station along a generally straight horizontal path into one of the washstations and in the opposite direction from the wash station back into the'application station, a substantial part of the mask shuttle plate including a mask supporting portion remaining at all times in the application station, spray means within the wash stations for directing cleansing fluid-onto the mask shuttle plate, electrical control means for said wash station spray means, conduit means for recirculating used cleansing fluid from the first wash station to, the second wash station, means for recirculating the cleansing fluid under pressure from the second wash station to the spray means within the wash stations, means for controlling the automatic operation of means for spraying'coating compounds and the spray means within the wash stations, the means for controlling being actuated and driven by the means for selectively driving the mask carrying shuttle plate, said means for controlling comprising a resiliently positioned cam carrying rod normally in a neutral position, a plurality of electrical switches actuated in proper sequence by the cams on said rod when the rod is moved into or out of said neutral position, said ing areas, said areas being located side by side article holding means, intermittently acting shifting means to move said holding means in one direction from said application area to a cleansing area and in the opposite direction from a cleansing area back to said application area, part of the article holding means remaining at all times in said application area, blow-ofi. means for drying said article holding means while said article holding means moves from a cleansing area, wiping means for assisting said blow-off means to dry said article holding means, applying means for applying coating compounds to articles supported by said holding means within said application area, cleansing means for removing surplus coating compounds from said holding means while in said cleansing areas, means for manually controlling the timing of 15 operations of said shifting means, electrical control means for each of said blow-oft means, of said applying means,

14 and of said cleansing means, and means for controlling said electrical control means comprising a spring positioned cam rod normally in a neutral position, a plurality of electrical switches connected to said electrical control means and actuated in proper sequence by said cam rod when the rod moves into or out of said neutral position, and said rod being driven out of said neutral position by said intermittently acting shifting means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,547,704 Whitmore July 28, 1925 1,741,155 Hatch Dec. 31, 1929 2,350,708 Roselund June 6, 1944 2,426,391 Emerson Aug. 26, 1947 2,695,592 Sczepanski Nov. 30, 1954 

